What are the motives for using bentonite clay in construction?

by Barkha Pahuja SEO/Writer

Bentonite is a sponge-like swelling clay. It mostly consists of montmorillonite. It is considered to be a natural clay of soft texture. Bentonite powder is generated by volcanic ash. Even people have found this clay from the places where volcanic ashes have got settled inside the ground. The clay can absorb a larger quantity of water and this unique feature make the clay ideal to use in building or road construction.

The bentonite clay can accumulate and transfer into gel while dispersed into water. The purpose of using this clay in construction is to form a barrier between dampening soil and the foundation of the building. The bentonite clay is regarded as the best choice for giving an exterior waterproofing service. It also ensures great importance for commercial purposes. The clay has some bleaching properties and for that, it calls as bleaching clay.

Types of bentonite powder:

Nature produces two types of bentonite clay. The first one contains sodium and the other one has calcium. Sodium bentonite is referred to as swelling type and calcium one is non-swelling. Calcium bentonite also calls as fuller earth. Bentonite is estimated for binding sand, drilling mud, waterproofing, and sealing works.

• Uses of bentonite clay in construction work:

Construction Bentonite Powder is regarded as the vital element to use for building foundation. Civil engineers are effectuated their work without the usage of bentonite clay and get satisfaction by using steel liners. We have not seen yet the awareness about using bentonite clay in the civil engineering industry.

• Preparation:

While the matter comes to prepare bentonite slurry, it is mixed with an object to get much hydration and after that add to the water to ensure that all particles are properly saturated and not any hydrated balls are seen on the mixture. It is advised to use potable quality water in the mixture for the best results. If you are doubtful about the water quality, you should make a chemical analysis or chemical treatment before to use in the construction.

Using salt water is completely prohibited for preparing bentonite slurry. Make use of the mixing equipment so that every particle is easily dispersed into water. Bentonite slurry can be made in batches, it completely depends upon the quantity of the bentonite slurry that is supposed to make.

• Uses of bentonite slurry:

1. Supporter: Bentonite slurry works as a supporter for excavation. As a result, it prevents collapse while excavating the walls.

2. Sealant: It is not flowing to a great extend in the excavation process and acts as a sealant.

3. Insular and non-reactive: It stays insular and non-reactive by cleaning dislodgement by concrete. No interference is seen between the bonding of set concrete and reinforcement.

4. The function of retainer: The primary motive of bentonite slurry is to ensure that it works as a sealant, retainer and to remain insular.

However, the versatility of using bentonite clay is gradually increasing day by day. The people who have the business of construction search for a renowned Construction Bentonite Powder Supplier to get more quantity of bentonite clay at a reasonable price.